Long, Stressful Day

Today, I almost overdid it. I am trying to rest for a real challenge next Monday. We left early to go to Cullman to meet someone at my lot. I got my business done with guy we met. First, we had a burger and went to PO. Afterwards, we went to the festehalle and I bought beautiful small yellow crookneck squash from my sweet potato man. Then, we came back for something this afternoon, something that was cancelled when we got there. Bummer.

I called and left a message cancelling the missionaries because I was tired and knew I would be exhausted for three days if they came by to help in the kitchen. But, they did not get the message. They showed up, and I did not get out of my recliner. I told them I was too tired and we had left a message cancelling. However, I told them I had something that really needed doing--take all dead limbs at back of the lot to the road. 

When the guy next door paid for someone to mow Tommy's lawn, the mower carried all limbs to the back of Tommy's yard. It is not like we live backed up to a forest. The guys thought we meant the huge limb that fell on neighbor's fence. They got it off the fence but could not get it through the small gate. So, they just carried all the limbs at the back and left the newly fallen limb which was okay.  

They left without telling us. I am sure they were hot and figured that lady would have more work! Of course, I would not...lol. They had on black pants, white shirt and tie. But, they did not mind working outdoors that way. These guys are really nice young men, personable. 

I cooked, mashed and sweetened the blackberries with Swerve. It was fine until I tried drinking milk. Then, my mouth seemed to be lined with sugar. I could not get the sweet taste off my tongue or lips. It was weird and way too sweet once I drank milk. I only put 1/4 cup swerve in a quart of blackberries. 

Then, later I decided to eat oats and put only a tsp of Swerve in the bowl of oats. Well, my tongue was coated with a sickening sweetness once I started drinking milk. I tried wiping it off with a dishcloth but it would not go away. I am not sure what is happening. 

I won't give up. I need to cut back on sugar, of course. And, I need to make Kool Aid! I should buy pure Stevia. 

My plan for the squash is somewhat off-beat. I will slice them, put a tiny bit of oil over them in a bowl and stir in cornmeal Then, I will put on a pan for the oven. I have done this before in place of frying the squash. I cannot stand or tend to them for a long time. Plus, if you don't use an iron skillet, fried squash is nothing special and does not turn out right. It is better in the oven. 

Tuesday night, I folded kitchen linens, folded my bathroom stuff, struggled with Tommy to open a huge box that we could barely get inside, had meatloaf and vegetables for dinner. Tommy heated his own leftover meatloaf and vegetables and went out and watered the flowers. 

The flowers are surviving the heat from the brick house. Of course, Tommy's watering them is working miracles. Tomorrow, it will be 100F here, so we will stick close to home. 

Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, I talked for a total of four hours to an abused woman whose husband and his attorney agreed to give her $1000/month as long as she does not marry or cohabitate  with anyone. She thinks living with her brother out of necessity or staying with our mutual friend to do his 2020 taxes is cohabiting! (Friend lives far away and her work laptops were stolen, so she uses friend's computer.) He gets $7000/month from his pension from former high level govt job. He told her that it was not money she could get like social security from him since they were divorcing. 

He and his family stole her medicines, computers with clients social security numbers and all their financial records. The items he stole include pre-colombian articles that a dead husband gave her. I know that sounds fishy and will not criticize her or listen to criticism. He abused her in ways I cannot imagine and have never heard before. 

His daughter took her walker away so she was helpless, pulled it across the room. He stole her son's computer and camera, and phone! She did not recognize elder abuse, and obviously her son does not recognize theft! 

She talked to an attorney who wanted $5000 up front. So, she has given up, suffering, I believe, from learned helplessness. I promised I would help her. I will. So, I have a chore set out for me. 

It all makes me so sad and wears me down emotionally which affects me physically! 

Free Lunch, Games, Lot Cleanup

Today was the lunch at the pretty church. We got there ahead of the appointed hour and there were lots of people there. All the tables were decorated by separate people. This year, their were no table with over-the-top decorations. Those were beautiful last year as were the ones this year.

A woman played her guitar and we all sang Christmas songs. It was fun since she was good at leading singing.

We first had a little worksheet to figure out as we sat and waited. There were pictures representing Christmas songs.

Then, we played Bingo. We won nothing. However, after we used the same card for three wins, we were told to clear the card. I did by dumping the lima beans. Then, they continued for four more wins. I complained that she told us to clear out card. They gave me a consolation prize, sort of mocking me. But, it was not too bad. I don't mind 50 people laughing and me and being called disgruntled...lol. The woman was nice and said things like to everyone. I got a little Christmas note pad and pen in a cover that closed with a magnet.

Afterwards, two door prizes were drawn. One was a birdhouse. We cannot think of the other prize.

The lunch was a buffet that was not in the kitchen, just finger foods: chicken salad, another with nuts in it, a huge cheese log, ten kinds of crackers, giant crudité tray and dip, sausage ball, chicken fingers, meat balls in bbq sauce, pigs in a blanket, grapes, blueberries, fresh pineapple chunks, sandwich strips of some sort, salsa and chips, best chocolate chip cookies ever. I only ate one!

I had business inside my bank, and another two offices, went to a food bank, and Belk's.

I did not get much at the food bank, but it was a bonus to be there on the right day and the last of 37 people who were left to be served before me. I never wait, I just sign up and go somewhere. I got ground pork, a huge Black Forest ham on a bun with dressing and green something, Pepperidge Farm oat bread, jelly, new potatoes, six donuts (could have had a chocolate cake), cream cheese with chives, peanut butter, canned tomatoes, Weight Watcher's Pecan crowns. At the end, someone told me to get anything I wanted from a huge box on the floor. I could not reach that far and dig. They pointed out candles but I told them "no candles." Someone said there was a wooden trivet, so I got that. This plastic table cloth will not hand warmish food.

I had a $15 off coupon at Belk's if I spent $75. This was even on clearance items. Kim Rogers clothes were buy one, get two free. I was too tired to care. But, the Kim Rogers I buy is always nice unless it is acrylic. So, if you bought $75 worth at this bargain, it would be $60! I didn't. I bought blue flannel sheets, red hair dryer, and a white bracelet. All were reduced.

We were exhausted. But, a friend with a truck came to my lot and picked up garbage left by someone in the city! It was right on the corner and not dumped by the public because it was there when we left. My friend picked all this up, brought things from back of lot (trash) and put it in the gutter. He assured me garbage men would get it. If they don't get it on Thursday, garbage at my neighborhood, he will get it on Friday for me. He put it all in Rubbermaid containers that were ruined, not just loose in the gutter.

I gave him a twelve-foot pipe thing that supported the roof over the basement door. It is not a pipe, really, just a heavy support. There were two water pipes or something that I used for plant supports/stakes, and other things he will take to recycling. I gave him bbq grill with good propane tank, and swing support. The metal swing was stolen! He is going to bring my big swing thing and picnic table and a few more things to me here. He is going to bring the stuff to me and it am giving him the 10'x10'x8' dog pen for his chickens. The lots looks so much better without trash all over. I brought home two small things today. He was thrilled to get the swing for his grandchildren.

On the way home, I had to go to bathroom soooomuch. Tommy brought me home and we both visited the bathroom. We got right back into the Rogue and went to Dollar Tree. I found a star that was meant to go on a small tree. It's all glittery gold and has a coil to go onto the top of the tree. I got a commode brush, two Christmas glasses, Pirouline. Oh, yes. I bought a Christmas pickle for the tree. He has not seen the commode brush and may blow up.

A woman in a hurry asked me to buy a Christmas card for her if she gave me the money. She gave me a dollar bill and a quarter and told me to keep the rest of the quarter. As soon as the cashier rung it up, she held out her hand and nicely demanded it. The cashier looked sort of shocked but when I nodded, she handed it over. I thought I was going to complete the transaction and give it to the woman, but she was in a big hurry. She was very nice and looked stressed.

Socks on my feet last night afforded me a great warm feet sleep.

So, that was Tuesday.